Aaron Judge was crowned Captain America for USA Baseball after being the first player named to the 2026 World Baseball Classic roster this week. That along with a level of consistency at the plate that has him leading in most all major offensive categories earns him his usual spot atop the #HighFive mountain.
1. Aaron Judge
Aaron Judge added another accolade to his list when it was announced by Team USA manager Mark De Rosa that he would not only be a part of the World Baseball Classic team but would serve as the new “Captain America” taking the role over from Mike Trout.
This feels like an official passing of the torch moment between two players who could be considered the best players of their respective generations.
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“It was not easy last time sitting at home and watching Team USA,” Judge told MLB Network.
“I wanted to be there, but I was in the middle of free agency, but I was always looking forward to this opportunity again. It is a very special honor to be named as captain.”
On the field, Judge has been the best hitter on the planet to begin the year. He has a chance to win the American League triple crown; entering Thursday he is currently first in average and RBI while only being one off of the home run lead. He also leads in On Base Percentage and OPS.
2. Hunter Greene
Hunter Greene has developed into one of the best pitchers in the Major as he finds himself in the two spot of our Week 3 #HighFive after his start over the weekend against Pittsburgh.
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He threw seven shutout innings, striking out eight and only allowing just two hits and one walk to earn his second straight win.
Greene, who is top five in strikeouts and ERA while leading the league in WHIP has not given up a run in 18.2 innings and this season; he has not given up a hit on his slider. Hitters are 0-for-29 against it with 13 strikeouts. It is the only pitch to be thrown 100 times this year that has not been hit.
Greene’s next start will be Saturday against fellow #HighFive member Cedric Mullins and the Baltimore Orioles.
3. Josh Naylor
Josh Naylor has impressed DBacks fans early this season and is showing he may be the missing piece to get them back to the World Series after their run in 2023.
He homered in back-to-back games this week and is slashing .360/.393/.760 in his last seven games with six RBI and a stolen base, which is already his fourth of the season after only totaling six in 2024.
Naylor will look to stay hot in the friendly confines of Wrigley Field this weekend in their series against the Cubs.
4. Cedric “CM Storm” Mullins
Cedric Mullins is making the Orioles front office think twice about not offering him a contract extension this offseason.
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The former All-Star and Silver Slugger leads the team in almost every hitting category, highlighted by his four home runs and 17 RBI which rank in the top 10 in the Majors.
He slashed .300/.481/.600 with six RBI, a homer and stolen base in his last seven games.
5. Simeon Woods Richardson
A clean, efficient start against his divisional rivals helped Simeon Woods Richardson secure the final spot on Week 3 of our #HighFive List.
In what was his first win of the season, Woods Richardson gave up only one run in five innings allowing no walks, five hits and striking out five.
The win marked the 24-year-olds first since August 21st of last season. He is gaining more experience with each start and is going to be an important piece to a Twins pitching rotation that lacks depth for years to come.
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Woods Richardson will matchup against last season’s National League Cy Young winner Chris Sale this Saturday as Minnesota Travels to Atlanta to take on the Braves.
